Full Service

The complete, hands-off experience. I design and book your entire bespoke itinerary end to end, tailored precisely to you.

  • Flights and transfers
  • Accommodations, handpicked
  • Excursions, dining & experiences
  • Full logistics & on-trip support
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Example itinerary

Includes all of the following

  • FlightsReturn flights, Houston, Texas to Edinburgh, Scotland, with seats and airport transfers arranged.
  • AccommodationThree nights at a Highland country house, room upgrade and breakfast included. And two nights aboard the Royal Scotsman highland scenic route.
  • ExcursionsA private whisky tour, a hosted scenic drive, and dinner reservations held.
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À la Carte

Already planning part of your journey yourself? I'll arrange just the elements you need. This option is great for when you've already arranged flights but want the experiences handled with care.

  • Excursions & private experiences
  • Accommodations only
  • Special dining, tours or events
  • Expert local recommendations
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Example itinerary

  • ExcursionsA private Douro Valley wine day and a Lisbon food-market walk.
  • DiningTwo sought-after dinner reservations, held in your name.
  • StayA handpicked boutique hotel for your nights in the city.
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Book Your Own Excursion

Prefer to self-serve? Browse and book excursions yourself through my personal travel portal, with trusted suppliers at your fingertips.

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Example

How it works

  • BrowseOpen my travel portal and search tours at your destination.
  • BookReserve a skip-the-line Colosseum tour or a Tuscan cooking class yourself.
  • PerksTrusted suppliers and fair pricing, with no waiting on me.
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Group travel and special occasions can also be arranged on request. Just ask.

The Advisor Advantage

Why book with a travel advisor


Booking with me typically costs no more than booking direct, and it opens doors, perks and peace of mind you can't get on your own.

Virtuoso® Network Perks

As an advisor with a Virtuoso® member agency, I can secure exclusive extras at preferred hotels, such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, resort or spa credits and early check-in, often at no additional cost.

Private Transfers

Arrive relaxed and enjoy VIP Meet and Greet airport service. I arrange private transfers to and from your airport, accommodations and activities, so you're never left sorting out logistics on the ground.

Documents & Visas

I help you navigate passport, visa and entry requirements, so you know exactly what you need, well before you travel.

Real-Time Delay Support

If weather or delays disrupt your plans, I'm here to adjust your itinerary and rebook, so a hiccup doesn't derail your whole trip.

Exclusive Access

Through Virtuoso® and my own network of trusted contacts, I open experiences, tables and stays that simply aren't bookable online.

On-Trip Concierge

From our first conversation to the day you arrive home, you have a dedicated advisor, plus a local contact at most destinations.

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Planning Fees

Transparent from the start


Advisor planning fee from $250, depending on the number of travelers and the length of your trip. Ask for details.

Because every journey is custom-built, full-service trips include an upfront, non-refundable planning fee that reflects the scope and complexity of your itinerary. It covers the research, design, booking and on-trip concierge support that go into your trip, and it's always agreed with you before any work begins.

The Process

How we build your journey together


  1. 01

    Discovery Consultation

    We begin with a relaxed, complimentary conversation about how you love to travel, your pace, your interests and your dreams. No pressure, no obligation.

  2. 02

    Itinerary Design

    I craft a personalized plan, with handpicked stays, experiences, guides and the details in between, and refine it with you until it feels exactly right.

  3. 03

    Seamless Arrangements

    Once you're delighted, I handle the bookings and logistics so your journey unfolds effortlessly from the first day to the last.

  4. 04

    Travel Support

    You're never on your own. My trusted local contacts and my own attention mean help is always a message away, wherever you are.

What I Consider

The ingredients of a great trip


“The doors Vanessa opened, from a private host to a guide who became a friend, we could never have found on our own.”
— Susan R., traveled solo to the Scottish Isles

Good to Know

Frequently asked questions


How do I get started booking a trip?

Getting started is simple. Just fill out the complimentary consultation form and I'll email you to schedule a first meeting, over the phone or by Zoom, whichever suits you. Once I understand where you'd love to go and what you're most interested in, I'll send a proposal with the fees and timeline to book your trip.

Do I need to live near you to work with you?

Not at all. I work with clients across the United States, and we meet by phone or Zoom, so where you live makes no difference. Everything, from our first conversation to your finished itinerary, is handled remotely at times that suit you.

How far in advance should I plan my trip?

The earlier the better, especially for peak seasons, luxury rail, cruises and sought-after lodges that book up far ahead. For most international trips I suggest starting six to twelve months out, and earlier still for holidays or special occasions. That said, I can often work with shorter timelines, so if your dates are close, reach out and I'll tell you honestly what's possible.

What is the Journeys of Taste mission statement?

Journeys of Taste is a curator of meaningful travel: journeys shaped by culture, connection, and a deep sense of place. I design slow, cinematic experiences built upon the landscapes, craftsmanship, and traditions that give a destination its character. I believe true luxury lies not in spectacle, but in depth: the stories behind a place, the hands that shape its customs, and the moments, from a quiet coastal drive to a shared meal over wine, that linger long after the trip ends.

What exactly does a travel advisor do?

I provide personalized, bespoke travel planning, designing custom itineraries, booking flights and accommodations, arranging tours and experiences, and offering expert advice on destinations. Through my affiliation with Gifted Travel Network, a Virtuoso® member agency, I also have access to the Virtuoso® Travel Network, which lets me book premium experiences and secure exclusive amenities and potential upgrades at preferred hotels and partners, perks you can't get booking on your own. My goal is to make your trip seamless and memorable from start to finish.

Is there a fee for your planning services?

Some services are complimentary, but bespoke trips carry an upfront planning fee that reflects the complexity of your journey. I'm always transparent about any costs before we begin. Submit a request for a complimentary consultation and I'll happily provide a cost estimate based on your needs and goals.

Can you book just part of my trip?

Absolutely. That's my à la carte service. If you've already arranged your own flights, for example, I can plan and book only the excursions, accommodations or experiences you'd like handled.

Do you work with solo travelers?

Yes. It's one of my strengths. I have a trusted network to design confident, safe and sociable journeys. Like every traveler, you'd simply choose full-service or à la carte. I'm also a member of Next Tribe, a community of women around the world who often travel together and can introduce you to Next Tribe group trips.

Do you book cruises?

Absolutely. Cruises are a real area of depth for me. From small-ship and river cruises to grand ocean voyages, I'll match the right line, ship, cabin and itinerary to how you love to travel. I can also book the very same shore excursions each cruise line offers, often at a lower price than booking them directly through the cruise company.

Can you help me save money on cruise excursions?

Yes, and it's a favorite of mine. I can book the very same shore excursions the cruise lines offer, often at a lower price than booking them directly through the cruise company. I can also arrange private or small-group alternatives that give you a richer experience, sometimes for less than the ship's group tours. Just tell me your sailing and ports, and I'll show you the options.

Do you plan luxury train journeys?

Yes. Luxury rail is a special love of mine. From the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Belmond's legendary routes and other iconic railways, I plan scenic, unhurried and utterly glamorous train journeys where the landscape unfolds from your window seat, champagne in hand.

Why use an advisor instead of booking online?

Booking with me usually costs no more than booking online, but you get far more. Through the Virtuoso® Travel Network I can secure exclusive hotel perks like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and resort credits; I arrange private transfers so you arrive relaxed; I help you navigate passport, visa and entry requirements; and if weather or delays disrupt your plans, I'm on hand to adjust your itinerary and rebook in real time. You also gain access to premium experiences that aren't bookable online, plus a dedicated concierge from our very first conversation through to the day you arrive home. In short: expert knowledge, exclusive access, genuine support, and none of the common pitfalls of self-booking.

What does being a Virtuoso® member advisor mean for me?

Through my affiliation with Gifted Travel Network, a Virtuoso® member agency, I can access the Virtuoso® network of preferred hotels, cruise lines and partners. For you, that often means exclusive extras at no additional cost, such as room upgrades when available, complimentary breakfast, resort or spa credits, and early check-in or late check-out, perks you can't get booking on your own.

Can you accommodate dietary or accessibility needs?

Of course. Tell me about any dietary restrictions, mobility needs or special requests and I'll tailor every detail of your journey accordingly.

What if something goes wrong during my trip?

I'm available before, during and after your travels. For example, if you experience flight delays, I can help adjust your itinerary and find the best alternative options to get you where you need to be.

Whenever you are ready

Let's turn a daydream into a journey designed entirely around you.

Request a Complimentary Consultation